How I spent my weekend

[junkman_56]

Hi folks, I just thought I would share with you what a GREAT weekend I had.

I left work as 1pm on Friday and headed to Durbin West Virginia for a weekend of caving at a regional caving event; Spring VAR.
I got down there before dark and set up my tent. I then settled down to an evening of drinking and BS’ing with old friends.
I had a Gurkha Master Select Corona with Bass Ale. It was a good night.

Woke up at 7am, had breakfast and headed to the cave at 9am. Swago Pit is a wonderful waterfall pit in south-eastern WV.
We rigged the drop and were in the cave by 11am.
Here is a shot of me dropping the pit.

We spent about 5 hours in cave and made it back to the campsite by 6pm for dinner. After dinner more beer and BS’ing.
There are a few folks here that appreciate a fine cigar. I had a Le Hoyo du Roi and a DC Maximus #5 (and way too much beer).

Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. I had breakfast, packed up my stuff and headed home.
Had a PAM ’64 Exclusivo on the way back…

It was a GREAT weekend of caving, drinking and smoking…

 

[bfreebern]

Sounds fun. Never knew much about caves until I watched Planet Earth and they showed numerous caves. They spent the most time on Lechuguilla, which looked spectatular.

Sounds like a great weekend Carl.

 

[Saxjazzman]

Sounds like it was great fun, particularly the beer and cigar part!! :whistling: Isn't there a word for cave exploration?

 

[junkman_56]

Sounds like it was great fun, particularly the beer and cigar part!! :whistling: Isn't there a word for cave exploration?

Yup, it's called caving...

 

[Devil Doc]

Sounds like it was great fun, particularly the beer and cigar part!! :whistling: Isn't there a word for cave exploration?

Spelunking.

 

[junkman_56]

Sounds like it was great fun, particularly the beer and cigar part!! :whistling: Isn't there a word for cave exploration?

Spelunking.

Sorry, no
Caver's rescue Spelunkers...

From Wikipedia:

In the 1960s, the term "spelunking" began to convey the idea of inexperienced cavers, using unreliable light sources and cotton clothing. In 1985, Steve Knutson (editor of American Caving Accidents) made the following distinction:

"...Note that I use the term 'spelunker' to denote someone untrained and unknowledgeable in current exploration techniques, and 'caver' for those who are."

This sentiment is exemplified by bumper stickers and t-shirts displayed by many cavers: "Cavers rescue spelunkers".

 

[tsmckenney]

This sentiment is exemplified by bumper stickers and t-shirts displayed by many cavers: "Cavers rescue spelunkers".
[/quote]

That's pretty hilarious man, the Cavers hatin' on the Spelunkers. Sounds like a lot of fun, including the Gurkha MS and the PAM. Next time try to get some girls to pose on those rocks. That would be the perfect weekend.

I know I have a one track mind.

ts

 

[Saxjazzman]

Sounds like it was great fun, particularly the beer and cigar part!! :whistling: Isn't there a word for cave exploration?

Spelunking.

Sorry, no
Caver's rescue Spelunkers...

From Wikipedia:

In the 1960s, the term "spelunking" began to convey the idea of inexperienced cavers, using unreliable light sources and cotton clothing. In 1985, Steve Knutson (editor of American Caving Accidents) made the following distinction:

"...Note that I use the term 'spelunker' to denote someone untrained and unknowledgeable in current exploration techniques, and 'caver' for those who are."

This sentiment is exemplified by bumper stickers and t-shirts displayed by many cavers: "Cavers rescue spelunkers".

Now arises the interesting question of who defines the language. I whipped out my wife's 20+ volume Oxford Dictionary (she takes her language use seriously) and it seems to indicate that Doc has a point. It seems that the word appears in the Latin, Old French, German, Dutch, and Middle Dutch to mean a cave, cavern or grotto. The earliest use seems to go back to 1377 in English. It is used as American slang to mean, "One who explores caves, esp. as a hobby; a caver, a speleologist." The earliest American usage was by A.F. Harlow in 1942 in "Weep No More, my Lady". Life magazine then picked it up in 1946. The dictionary did not make the distinction about someone being untrained.

Now, that does not mean it does not carry that definition by the players and participants of caving but in terms of those who, and I say this tongue in cheek, 'define the language', it does not carry that meaning. Which leads us back to the original question, who defines the language, the users or the theorist. Interesting.

 

[junkman_56]

Now arises the interesting question of who defines the language. I whipped out my wife's 20+ volume Oxford Dictionary (she takes her language use seriously) and it seems to indicate that Doc has a point. It seems that the word appears in the Latin, Old French, German, Dutch, and Middle Dutch to mean a cave, cavern or grotto. The earliest use seems to go back to 1377 in English. It is used as American slang to mean, "One who explores caves, esp. as a hobby; a caver, a speleologist." The earliest American usage was by A.F. Harlow in 1942 in "Weep No More, my Lady". Life magazine then picked it up in 1946. The dictionary did not make the distinction about someone being untrained.

Now, that does not mean it does not carry that definition by the players and participants of caving but in terms of those who, and I say this tongue in cheek, 'define the language', it does not carry that meaning. Which leads us back to the original question, who defines the language, the users or the theorist. Interesting.

LOL, well I'm a caver...

Here is a link to a webpage with some additional pics: link

 

[Big Stick]

I love plants and your pictures of the (Gypsum Flowers) are Intriguing

 

[Saxjazzman]

Those are some great pictures!! Just out of curiosity, do you find and collect rocks, crystals or fossils? It seems that you would come across some interesting finds during caving.

 

[junkman_56]

Those are some great pictures!! Just out of curiosity, do you find and collect rocks, crystals or fossils? It seems that you would come across some interesting finds during caving.

I do, but it's a no-no to take anything out of a cave.

"Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints, Kill Nothing but Time".

 

[MiamiCubano]

Sounds like a great time!
Great pics and thanks for sharing! :thumbs:

 

[Lopaka]

Sounds like a sweet time! Thanks for sharing.

 

[xRanger]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing! :thumbs: